Disposable and Fragrant Footwear Liner Device and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a footwear liner insert configured to absorb sweat and dirt while simultaneously providing a pleasant fragrance emitting from the footwear liner insert. The liner having an adhesive layer for releasably attaching to an insole of a footwear and an elastomeric nonwoven layer for absorbing sweat. The footwear liner insert is infused with natural essential oils for releasing fragrance upon compression of the footwear liner insert. In some embodiments, the liner is disposable and can be detached after use by pulling the adhesive layer from the insole of the footwear. The liner is designed to meet and fit in different types of footwears and is configured in different designs and sizes. The liner provides adequate grip and friction for smooth walking and running for a user of the liner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/312,239, which was filed on Feb. 21, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of footwear liners and inserts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel footwear liner capable of absorbing sweat and improving odors from the footwear. The liner is infused with fragrant material which is released while the liner is used inside a footwear. The liner is releasably attached inside the footwear using an adhesive layer and is preferably disposable allowing a user to change the liner after day(s) of use. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, extensively used footwear commonly become odorous and embarrassing to take off near other individuals. Human feet can smell due to a bacteria called Staphylococcus epidermis, which breaks down an amino acid in sweat called leucine. As a result, an undesirable cheese-like smell permeates shoes and can be difficult to eradicate. Further, footwear become warm and damp and become a place of growing bacteria and fungi.

Modem footwear are stylish and are designed to provide aesthetic to users. Many such footwear are made from non-breathable material that may cause excessive sweating resulting in odorous footwear. Even shoes with ample ventilation and mesh panels tend to hold on to some odors, sweat, and rancid smells. It is also a common thing for individuals to wear footwear without cleaning their feet and thus causing a dirty and untidy insole and inner portion of the footwear.

For maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding embarrassment of smelling footwear, individuals occasionally wash their footwear, which is not only time consuming, but also deteriorates quality of the footwear. Ultimately, individuals end up replacing their existing footwear because of excessive odors and bad quality.

Some individuals use solutions such as putting baking soda powder, spraying a perfume, and more, in shoes for removing smells and odors. However, such methods are difficult to use, reduce quality of footwear and are ineffective. Individuals may be looking for new and better ways to improve the smell, and/or reduce the odors, of their footwear.

Conventional shoe liners are designed to be placed inside footwear for supporting feet. A novel shoe liner that can reduce smell from the footwear is desired that not only supports the feet of a user, but can solve problems of stinking footwear.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that can improve or reduce odors coming from footwear. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a novel device that is in the form of a shoe liner capable of absorbing sweat of the feet of a user. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel shoe liner that prevents footwear from becoming odorous and embarrassing to take off. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that can function like a shoe liner and that provides a practical, convenient, and inexpensive method of keeping shoes smelling pleasant and fresh. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that eliminates use of baking soda, perfume, and more in shoes/footwear for removing odors and smells. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that can keep different types of footwear fresh and fragrant. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved footwear liner that securely fits inside a footwear and emits a pleasant odor from within the shoe.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a disposable and fragrant footwear liner. The padded liner is configured to be adhesively attached to the inside bottom portion of a footwear for protecting footwear from bad odors, dirt, and debris. The liner further comprising an adhesive layer to secure the liner inside the footwear and thereby capable of keeping the liner in place throughout a day of wear; an elastomeric layer for absorbing sweat and moisture of a foot of a user; the elastomeric layer is infused with one or more natural essential oils for providing fragrance throughout the day of wear; wherein the adhesive layer is protected by a peeling layer or film that can be peeled off to expose the adhesive layer for releasably attaching to the insole of the footwear.

In this manner, the improved shoe liner of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provide users with improved footwear liners capable of absorbing sweat and improving odors coming from the footwear. The integrated adhesive enables the liner to be securely retained throughout the day and enables users to remove the liners and throw them away at the end of the day, or after a few days of use. The infused fragrance masks foot odor and protects footwear while leaving feet feeling fresh and comfortable all day.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a disposable and fragrant footwear liner. The liner is a padded device configured to be adhesively attached to the inside bottom portion of a footwear. The liner further comprising an adhesive layer to secure the liner inside the footwear thereby keeping the liner in place throughout a day of wear; an elastomeric layer for absorbing sweat and moisture of foot of a user; the elastomeric layer is infused with one or more natural essential oils for providing fragrance throughout a day of wear; wherein the adhesive layer is protected by a peeling layer or removable film that can be peeled off to expose the adhesive layer for releasably attaching to the insole of the footwear.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a disposable footwear liner insert for a footwear. The liner insert is configured to releasably attach to the insole of a shoe and includes an upper elastomeric layer made of non-woven material for absorbing sweat and moisture, a lower adhesive layer including polyurethane adhesive for releasably attaching the insert to the inside of the footwear, wherein the liner insert substantially covers the insole of the footwear from the heel portion to the front or toe portion, the elastomeric layer is infused with fragrant and organic essential oils and a coating of anti-microbial material, the essential oils mask off the stinking smell of sweat and moisture and the anti-microbial layer kills the microbes.

In another aspect of the present invention, a shoe assembly is disclosed. The shoe assembly including a removable shoe liner having a top absorbing layer made of non-woven material, a bottom adhesive layer having a polyurethane adhesive, the shoe liner fits inside the shoe and substantially covers the insole of the footwear, in use the adhesive layer attaches to the insole, essential oil infusing the top layer releases fragrance when a user wears the shoe and places a foot on the shoe liner.

In yet another embodiment, a method of preventing footwear from becoming odorous is described. The method includes the steps of providing a shoe liner configured to be releasably attached to the bottom of an inside of the footwear; releasably attaching the shoe liner on the bottom of the inside of the footwear; releasing a fragrance from essential oils from the shoe liner; and detaching the shoe liner from the footwear.

In yet another embodiment, the liner device of the present invention is easily and efficiently manufactured, marketed, and available to consumers in cost-effective manner. Further, the liner improves the life of the footwear by protecting wear and tear of the insole of the footwear from sweat and moisture.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a fragrant footwear liner of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing one potential embodiment of the disposable and fragrant footwear liner device of the present invention being used in a footwear in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing another embodiment of the liner device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of using a liner device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that can improve or reduce odors coming from footwear. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a novel device that is in the form of a shoe liner capable of absorbing sweat from the feet of a user. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a novel shoe liner that prevents footwear from becoming odorous and embarrassing to take off. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that can function like a shoe liner and provides a practical, convenient, and inexpensive method of keeping shoes smelling pleasant and fresh. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that eliminates use of baking soda, perfume, and more in shoes/footwear for removing odors and unpleasant smells. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that can keep different types of footwear fresh and fragrant. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved footwear liner that securely fits inside a footwear and gives off a pleasant odor from within the shoe.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a shoe assembly that releases a pleasant fragrance throughout the day. The shoe assembly including a removable shoe liner having a top absorbing layer made of non-woven material, a bottom adhesive layer having a polyurethane adhesive, the shoe liner fits inside the shoe and substantially covers the insole of the footwear, in use the adhesive layer attaches to the insole, an essential oil(s) infusing the top layer releases fragrance when a user wears the shoe and places the foot on top of the shoe liner.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a fragrant footwear liner of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The fragrant footwear liner 100 of the present invention is designed to adhesively attach to the inside bottom portion of a footwear and to emit a pleasant odor from within the footwear. The liner device 100 includes an elastomeric layer 102 and an adhesive layer 104, the adhesive layer 104 is protected by a peelable or removable protective layer or film layer 106. The elastomeric layer 102 completely overlaps the adhesive layer 104 and both the layers 102, 104 are permanently attached together. The adhesive layer 104 is configured to releasably attach to the insole of a footwear as illustrated in FIG. 2 such that the liner 100 does not slip or move when a footwear, in which the liner 100 is attached, is worn by a user.

The liner device 100 is shaped to cover a substantial portion (i.e., a majority of the area) of the insole surface of a footwear and can be designed in different shapes and sizes to fit different types of footwear. The adhesive layer 104 can be made from one or more of polyurethane, neoprene, butadiene, and more. Preferably, the adhesive layer 104 is made from a castor oil-based polyurethane adhesive. The adhesive layer 104 provides a peel strength from about 1 g/25 mm to about 5 g/25 mm for effective adhesive strength.

The elastomeric layer 102 is infused with natural and skin friendly essential oil fragrances and is in a non-woven arrangement to absorb moisture and sweat from the foot of a user. The elastomeric layer 102 preferably has essential oils including a flavor or a scent of one or more of lavender, lemon, wood, mint, jasmine, rose, and many more. In the preferred embodiment, the shoe liner 100 is disposable and provides better grip and security to a user. The elastomeric layer 102 provides a coefficient of friction of about 0.4 µ to about 0.5 µ for prohibiting any slippage of foot and providing adequate gripping.

Structurally, the liner device 100 has a heel end 108 and a front end 110 extending between a longitudinal portion. The heel end 108 and the front end 110 are designed to adequately support and balance the weight of a user and preferably, the heel end 108 is 40% thicker than the remaining portion of the liner device 100. The design of the heel end 108 and the front end 110 can be designed on the basis of different types of footwear.

The liner 100 can be designed to be accommodated in different types of shoes, flip-flops, high-heels, sandals, moccasins, high boots, and more. The liner 100 can be easily peeled off from the insole of the footwear at the end of the day and can be replaced with a new liner device 100. The liner 100 is especially useful for users who like to wear their footwear without any socks or stockings as the elastomeric layer 102 effectively absorbs sweat and moisture, while simultaneously providing a fragrance. In some embodiments of the present invention, the elastomeric layer 102 may have a coating of an anti-microbial substance to kill any bacteria or microbes that may be present in the footwear.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing one potential embodiment of the disposable and fragrant footwear liner device of the present invention being used in a footwear in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the liner 100 is positioned on the insole 202 of the footwear 200 with the adhesive layer 104 releasably attached to the insole 202. Before attaching the liner 100, the adhesive protection film layer 106 is peeled off and liner 100 is aligned with the insole 202 of the footwear 200.

Preferably, the heel end 108 overlaps the heel portion 204 of the footwear 200 and the front end 110 overlaps the toe portion 206 of the footwear 200 for adequately providing support and grip to a user’s foot. The liner 100 is flexible and therefore, can be easily placed inside the footwear 200. The liner 100 can be easily placed manually inside the footwear 200 without need of any applicator device. Further, as illustrated, the liner 100 is not visible from outside when positioned inside the footwear 200 and therefore, provides an aesthetic appeal while providing a feel of a sock or stocking to a user. The liner 100 also provides protection from wear and tear to the insole 202 of the footwear when the liner 100 is repeatedly used in the footwear 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing another embodiment of the liner device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the liner 300 is especially designed for flip flops and includes a slit 301 and a cut-out 302 at the front end 304 thereof and a pair of opposing slits 305, 307 and cut-outs 306, 308 above the heel end 310 of the liner 300.

The slits 301, 305, 307 and the cut-outs 302, 306, 308 are designed to accommodate the straps of the flip flop and/or sandal footwear such that the liner 300 is effectively and securely positioned on the insole of the flip flop.

The liner device 100, 300 can be designed to fit any type of footwear and is designed to mirror both the right and left foot in each of the various sizes, in order to be more convenient and easier to use. The custom sizing enables proper insertion into footwear since cutting of the device and use of an applicator is obviated. Further, the liners of different embodiments may have different styles, colors, and logos printed on the surface including, but not limited to, cartoon characters, sport team logos, Bible scriptures, and more.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of using a liner device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Initially, a liner device designed for a target footwear with a desired fragrance is selected by a user (Step 402). Then, the adhesive protection film is peeled off by the user to expose the adhesive layer of the liner device (Step 404). Thereafter, the liner is placed inside a footwear on the insole such that the liner substantially covers the insole (Step 406). For placing the liner, no applicator device is required and the liner is easily positioned using only the hands of the user. Once the adhesive is secured to the insole, then, no slipping of the liner takes place.

The footwear can then be worn in a conventional manner by a user, such that the fragrance from the liner is released when the liner is compressed by the weight of the user during walking, running, or even sitting (Step 408). Finally, after the footwear has been worn for a specific duration such as 8 hours, 10 hours, 12 hours, or 16 hours, the liner can be removed by pulling the adhesive layer (Step 410) away from the insole.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “disposable and fragrant footwear liner device”, “liner device”, “liner”, “fragrant footwear liner”, “disposable liner insert”, and “footwear liner” are interchangeable and refer to the disposable and fragrant footwear liner device 100, 300 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the disposable and fragrant footwear liner device 100, 300 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the disposable and fragrant footwear liner device 100, 300 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the disposable and fragrant footwear liner device 100, 300 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the disposable and fragrant footwear liner device 100, 300 are important design parameters for user convenience, the disposable and fragrant footwear liner device 100, 300 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user’s needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fragrant footwear liner comprising: a footwear liner having an elastomeric layer permanently attached to an adhesive layer; wherein said adhesive layer having a removable protective film layer; wherein said elastomeric layer overlaps said adhesive layer; wherein said adhesive layer selectively attached to an inside bottom portion of a footwear; wherein said elastomeric layer having essential oils for emitting an odor when compressed by a weight of a wearer of said footwear liner; and further wherein said footwear liner covering a majority of an area of said inside bottom portion of the footwear.
 2. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer selected from a group consisting of a polyurethane, a neoprene, and a butadiene.
 3. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 2, wherein said adhesive layer is selected from a group consisting of a castor oil-based polyurethane adhesive.
 4. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 3, wherein said adhesive layer having a peel strength from about 1 g/25 mm to about 5 g/25 mm.
 5. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 4, wherein said elastomeric layer is infused with said essential oils.
 6. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 5, wherein said elastomeric layer having a non-woven arrangement to absorb moisture and sweat from a foot of the wearer.
 7. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 6, wherein said essential oils selected from a group consisting of a lavender, a lemon, a wood, a mint, a jasmine and a rose.
 8. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 7, wherein said footwear liner is disposable.
 9. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 8, wherein said elastomeric layer having a coefficient of friction from about 0.4 µ to about 0.5 µ.
 10. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 9, wherein said elastomeric layer having a heel end and a front end extending between a longitudinal portion, and further wherein said heel end is about 40% thicker than said front end.
 11. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 10, wherein said elastomeric layer having an antimicrobial coating.
 12. A fragrant footwear liner comprising: a footwear liner having an elastomeric layer permanently attached to an adhesive layer; wherein said adhesive layer having a removable protective film layer; wherein said elastomeric layer overlaps said adhesive layer; wherein said adhesive layer selectively attached to an inside bottom portion of a footwear; wherein said elastomeric layer having infused essential oils for emitting an odor when compressed by a weight of a wearer of said footwear liner; wherein said footwear liner covering a majority of an area of said inside bottom portion of the footwear; wherein said elastomeric layer having a non-woven arrangement to absorb moisture and sweat from a foot of the wearer; wherein said essential oils selected from a group consisting of lavender, lemon, wood, mint, jasmine, and rose; and further wherein said footwear liner is disposable.
 13. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 12, wherein said fragrant footwear liner having a slit and cut-out at a front end of said fragrant footwear liner and a pair of opposing slits and cut-outs at a heel end of said fragrant footwear liner.
 14. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 13, wherein said elastomeric layer having a coefficient of friction from about 0.4 µ to about 0.5 µ.
 15. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 14 wherein said heel end and said front end extending between a longitudinal portion, and further wherein said heel end is about 40% thicker than said front end.
 16. The fragrant footwear liner of claim 15, wherein said elastomeric layer having an antimicrobial coating.
 17. A method of emitting a fragrant odor from a footwear liner, the method comprising the steps of: providing a footwear liner having an elastomeric layer permanently attached to an adhesive layer wherein said elastomeric layer overlaps said adhesive layer; infusing said elastomeric layer with essential oils for emitting an odor when compressed by a weight of a wearer of said footwear liner; removing a protective film layer from said adhesive layer; attaching said adhesive layer to an inside bottom portion of a footwear; covering a majority of an area of said inside bottom portion of the footwear with said footwear liner; wherein said elastomeric layer having a non-woven arrangement to absorb moisture and sweat from a foot of the wearer; wherein said essential oils selected from a group consisting of lavender, lemon, wood, mint, jasmine, and rose; and further wherein said footwear liner is disposable.
 18. The method of emitting a fragrant odor from a footwear liner of claim 17, wherein said fragrant footwear liner having a slit and cut-out at a front end of said fragrant footwear liner and a pair of opposing slits and cut-outs at a heel end of said fragrant footwear liner.
 19. The method of emitting a fragrant odor from a footwear liner of claim 18, wherein said elastomeric layer having a coefficient of friction from about 0.4 µ to about 0.5 µ.
 20. The method of emitting a fragrant odor from a footwear liner of claim 19, wherein said heel end and said front end extending between a longitudinal portion, and further wherein said heel end is about 40% thicker than said front end. 